Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Mandatory Documents Checklist

• ✓Unconditional Admission Letter (excluding funding) from a JJ/WBGSP Participating Master's Program (received before scholarship application)
• ✓Proof of Citizenship of a World Bank member developing country (e.g., Passport copy)
• ✓Bachelor's Degree Certificate and Academic Transcripts (demonstrating degree earned at least 3 years prior to deadline)
• ✓Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume (highlighting at least 3 years of development-related work experience within the past 6 years)
• ✓Proof of Current Full-time Development-Related Employment
• ✓Professional Recommendations (implied by selection criteria, specific format may be requested)
• ✓Essays or Personal Statement (demonstrating commitment to home country development, implied by selection criteria)

Selection Process

Renewal Policy

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

• 1

  Check Eligibility

  Carefully review the strict eligibility criteria. Applicants must be a national of a World Bank member developing country (India is eligible), not hold dual citizenship of any developed country, be in good health, and hold a bachelor's degree earned at least three years prior to the application deadline. Crucially, you must also have at least three years of recent paid, full-time, development-related work experience post-bachelor's degree, acquired within the past six years from the application deadline, and be employed in such work at the time of application.

• 2

  Identify Participating Programs

  Research and identify a master's degree program from the official list of JJ/WBGSP Participating Master's Programs. These are development-related programs offered at universities in various regions, including the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. The list of participating programs can vary by application window and is updated annually.

• 3

  Apply for University Admission

  Secure an unconditional admission offer (meaning all conditions are met except for funding) to *at least one* of the selected JJ/WBGSP Participating Master's Programs. The program must be located outside your country of citizenship and residence, and this admission must be for the upcoming academic year (e.g., 2026-27 or 2027). This is a mandatory prerequisite for the scholarship application.

• 4

  University Nomination/Shortlisting

  Once you receive an unconditional admission offer, the participating university will assess your eligibility for the JJ/WBGSP. If you meet their criteria, they will shortlist you as an eligible candidate.

• 5

  Receive Scholarship Application Link

  The official link to the JJ/WBGSP online application form will *only* be provided to candidates who have received an unconditional admission offer and have been shortlisted by a participating university. You cannot apply for the scholarship directly without this link.

• 6

  Complete Scholarship Application

  Using the provided link, complete the online application form within the designated application window. For the 2026 cycle, these windows were typically Window 1 (January 15 - February 27, 2026) and Window 2 (March 30 - May 29, 2026). The application requires personal details, educational background, professional history, a development impact statement, and two professional recommendation letters, which must be submitted online by your recommenders. You will also need to upload scanned copies of your bachelor's degree diploma and your C.V.

• 7

  Status Tracking

  All successful applicants are typically informed by the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat. For example, successful candidates for the 2027 cycle are likely to be notified by June 1st, 2027. Communication regarding your application status will generally be through the application portal or email.